5-Star QB Shea Patterson Transfers from Calvary Baptist to IMG Academy
Written by Charlie Beuttel
On July 13, quarterback Shea Patterson announced via his Twitter account that he was transferring from Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana and will be attending the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
The 5-star pro style quarterback wrote the following on Twitter, “I want to thank my teachers, coaches, classmates and friends at Calvary for an amazing experience the past 2 years. I will cherish the bonds I’ve established with my teammates on and off the football field. The championships we’ve won together are memories that will last a lifetime. However, I will be attending IMG Academy this fall, it’s an opportunity I cannot pass up. I look forward to taking the lessons I’ve learned from Calvary and working hard to try to be a better play. Calvary is a great place and I grew so much there as a person especially spiritually. I’m constantly challenging myself and this is my next challenge. Time to work. #grind#thankful#alwaysacav”
Patterson won back-to-back Louisiana Division-III state championships with Calvary after he transferred from Hidalgo, Texas after his freshman season. In 2013, the sophomore threw for over 2,600 yards, 34 touchdowns, and had just four interceptions. Then as a junior in 2014, Patterson threw for just over 2,400 yards, 38 touchdowns, and three interceptions.
On February 17, Shea Patterson announced that will attend Ole Miss after de-committing from Arizona in July of 2014.
The 6’2″, 195 pound, quarterback phenom was named MVP of Nike’s Elite 11 quarterback competition at The Opening last week in Oregon. Rivals.com has rated Patterson as the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback and the No. 3 overall prospect in the latest Rivals100.
IMG Coach Kevin Wright said in an interview with Bradenton.com, “Obviously he’s a very good football player, but I think even more than that he’s a tremendous leader. It seems like he’s one of those guys who makes the players around him better.”
In an interview with Shreveport’s KTBS local news, Coach John Bachman of Calvary Baptist said, “Obviously we’re disappointed. We love Shea. Calvary will always be home for Shea. It’s certainly a huge loss. Life’s not fair. You get dealt things that aren’t necessarily things you choose. However he’s a great young man. We love Shea Patterson and no one is mad at Shea Patterson.”
Coach Bachman went on to add that senior Jake Bartley will be named Calvary’s starting quarterback.
Patterson will replace Florida State commit Malik Henry at IMG Academy after Henry was dismissed from the program before even playing for the school.
Patterson will join an already talented team at IMG Academy including 5-star prospects Shavar Manuel, Saivion Smith (LSU commit) and tight end Isaac Nauta (Florida State commit).
Photo credit: shreveporttimes.com; No. 1 Shea Patterson